Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is set to begin his trip to Japan – the first official visit by a Chinese premier to Japan in eight years. Premier Li's visit aims to improve bilateral ties, including that of trade. To get a sense of how improved ties could affect the business community, CGTN traveled to Dalian, a city in China's northeast that has become a popular investment destination for Japanese companies.

Takashi Okubo, the director of one of the world's leading linear motion manufacturers, has just celebrated his 62nd birthday. Every morning, he likes to walk around the production plant. Over the past 18 years, his company has evolved from basic assembly lines to a large transnational corporation in Dalian.

"Expansion in the Chinese market has been our top priority, especially after the Made in China 2025 plan debuted. The decisions we made here center around China's big picture," said Takashi Okubo, the director of THK Dalian Co.,Ltd.

As Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends talks in Tokyo, marking the first official visit by a Chinese premier to Japan in eight years, Japanese companies that have performed well are deciding to maintain or even further expand their presence in China, according to a survey by the Japan External Trade Organization.

Matsuyama Masato, chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & industry in Dalian shares his thoughts with CGTN: "China has been a profitable market for Japanese companies, and a crucial part of their oversea operations, and for Japanese investments, bilateral ties can never be overlooked."